MIT Rocket Team tests 3D printed rocket made with Markforged machine

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A group of students known as the MIT Rocket Team has successfully fired a fully 3D printed rocket.

In a post written by the group’s Charlie Garcia, the team explain the plastic rocket motor “achieved supersonic flow and produced thrust.” The MIT Rocket Team is an “independent student group” focusing on rocket related projects and has been established for over 14 years.

3D printed rockets

To create the rocket, which has only two parts, the team used a Markforged Mark Two 3D printer and Onyx Nylon material. Developed by Markforged, the nylon material is combined with micro-carbon fibers for added strength and heat resistance.

In terms of future plans, the MIT Rocket Team hope “to explore larger motors, more resilient motors, and potentially even flight hardware!” Meaning the group may be encouraged by recent news regarding Desktop Metal and Markforged. The two companies are both releasing metal FDM 3D printers this year at considerably lower prices than current industrial metal printers.